Indigenous Education Council, Fanshawe College

Fanshawe College's Indigenous Education Council was established in 1996 along with the First Nations Centre. The establishment of the First Nations Student Association (FNSA) soon followed.

The Terms of Reference for the Indigenous Education Council were approved by the Fanshawe College Board of Governors.

The purpose of the Indigenous Education Council is:

"To encourage the enrollment and participation of Indigenous students in the life of the College community. Of particular importance are the Council's initiatives designed to enhance the creation of a sensitive and supportive environment that will facilitate the retention and progression of Indigenous students through to the completion of their academic program."

The Indigenous Education Council has a special relationship with the Fanshawe College Board of Governors, with the common goal of providing more and better opportunities for Indigenous peoples. The responsibilities of the Indigenous Education Council include:

  • To report annually and publicly, to the Board of Governors on First Nations Centre activities and matters related to educational opportunities for Indigenous peoples;
  • To make recommendations, as necessary, to the Board of Governors in order to assure a fair, equitable and productive partnership between the Indigenous communities and the College.

The Indigenous Education Council is also linked with academic and service areas of the College through the College's representatives on the Indigenous Education Council including the Vice-President Student Services, Academic managers, a Faculty member, the Director, Student Success and the Manager, First Nations Centre.

More than half of IEC membership is comprised of Indigenous community members from the twelve First Nations communities in our area and local Indigenous organizations. The IEC is co-chaired by a member from an Indigenous community or organization and an elected student leader from the First Nations Student Association.

The Indigenous Education Council meets at least three times each year to review Fanshawe's Indigenous goals, work plans, services, initiatives, budgets and related reports to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and to the Fanshawe College Board of Governors.